Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen Blog Editor

The blog is edited by Allen & Allen personal injury attorney Christopher Guedri. His expansive trial experience includes hundreds of bench and jury trials. Chris dedicates his law practice to helping clients and making his community a safer place.

Mar

01

2017

The average home contains many appliances and accessories that could cause potential burns. Stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and even hot water can cause burns in both adults and children. Children may not understand the risks of burn injuries or the concept of heat from a stove,[1] but following a few simple safety tips can help keep children safe in the household.[2]

Burn injuries in children

Burn injuries in children are a serious concern.[3] On average, more than 100,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for burn injuries.[4] Additionally, an average of 1,100 children die each year from fire and burn injuries.[5] These statistics are alarming,…

Dec

28

2016

Americans consistently rate the safety and quality of their car as one of the most influential factors when deciding which model to purchase, and recent decades have seen enormous advances in safety equipment and systems.[1] Anti-lock brakes, side airbags, and stronger, more absorbent chassis have all played a role in making our roads less dangerous than before. Out of all these advances, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has distinguished itself as perhaps the single most beneficial safety system added to our cars.

Growing from the same technology and system as anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) senses the beginning of a slide and automatically…

Dec

07

2016

Product manufacturers and the government have the power to recall products if the products pose a health or safety concern to the public.[1] A recall can ask for consumers to return the product for a replacement or a repair, or it can ban the sale of a product.[2] Product recalls can include things like vehicles and vehicle equipment, food products for humans and pets, and other everyday consumer products like toys or clothing.[3] It is important to make sure a product you are purchasing has not been recalled, and also to report any significant safety concerns that you may notice about any consumer product.[4] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)…

Oct

19

2016

Operation Safe Driver Week is coming the week of October 16-22, 2016. The week is made up of two initiatives designed to improve driver and roadway safety.

The campaign’s first initiative involves increased traffic enforcement on our roadways. The second includes educational activities designed to improve driver safety. The overall intent of the program is to minimize the risks faced by drivers on a daily basis, in order to reduce injuries and deaths from vehicle accidents.[1] The need for Operation Safe Driver Week is obvious: more than 4,100 deaths and 126,000 injuries resulted from bus and truck crashes alone in 2012.[2]

Oct

05

2016

Halloween is right around the corner, and many parents have already started preparing themselves and their children for the annual parade of costumes and candy. To ensure that both you and your children have a safe and happy Halloween, review the following safety tips provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.[1]

Dressing Up

Because trick-or-treating usually happens at night, parents should find costumes for their children that are bright and reflective. Adding reflective striping to costumes or treat bags can help increase a child’s visibility, not only to other trick-or-treaters, but also to passing vehicles.

Sep

21

2016

In the United States today, children have unprecedented access to the internet. The percentage of Americans who own a computer or cell phone has never been higher, with research showing that 84% of United States households contain a computer and 64% of Americans have cell phones.[1] While the internet can be a positive place for children to learn and connect with friends, there are many potential dangers involved if proper precautions are not taken.

Online threats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the most dangerous being predators looking to harm children through the internet. These online predators are usually strangers using fake profiles and…

Sep

07

2016

With the school year in full swing once again, approximately one million Virginia students will be riding school buses to and from school, field-trips, and other school related activities.[1] Many of these students (and their parents) will be lining up at their assigned bus stops. Because a good number of these bus stops are on busy streets, parents need to make sure that their children queue up and wait for the bus safely.

Getting Ready in the Morning

Parents should be thinking about bus stop safety even before their children leave the house. Though some parents might accompany their kids to the bus stop, many kids walk to the bus stop alone. As fall turns…

Jul

27

2016

Many people have been guilty of speeding up to get through a “yellow light.” However, the dangers are not worth the risk. Between 2004 and 2013, an estimated 7,799 people lost their lives running red lights or “trying to beat the light.” In 2013 alone, more than 697 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in similar crashes. Such risks are even higher in urban areas, where stop-light-related crashes are more common than any other type. Even though the general risk created by running stop lights may be obvious, 36% of drivers continue to run lights even though 73% of drivers acknowledge that “running red lights is unacceptable.”[1] In 2014, it is…

Jul

13

2016

Parallel parking can be difficult and stressful for many drivers. In 2006, parking assist systems were first introduced in cars to help alleviate the stress of parallel parking.[1] Parking assist systems use sensors and cameras to back the vehicle into the parking spot.[2] Recently, this technology has become more advanced, more affordable, and is now being offered on more vehicles.[3]

Studies show that parking assist systems are effective. A study done by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found the following:[4]

Jun

29

2016

Fireworks are a popular Fourth of July activity. However, fireworks can be dangerous. Accidents, burns, and even wildfires are all risks of using fireworks. In addition to these dangers, many kinds of fireworks are illegal. Users should be aware of local laws, and apply common sense to stay safe when firing fireworks.

Accidents and Burns

Fireworks cause many accidents and injuries every year. On average, 240 people visit the emergency room daily in the days around the Fourth of July. In 2013, 40% of all firework injuries involved children younger than 14.

Sparklers may seem harmless enough for children because they do not explode or make loud noises,…